Ever hope they aren't biting?

[weeds]

I've only been fishing now for about 5 years. In that time I've spent most of my days on the water learning one lake. The lake hasn't been the easiest to figure out but I've managed to put a few spots together that I don't often see other fisherman on - even when there are a lot of fisherman about. Being relatively new I'm sort of proud of that. I worked hard for it.

Recently I shared the lake with a long time acquaintance who has much more experience than I. It's probably true that I am more concerned with whether the people I bring with me catch fish than if I do. I've had a few people out, and they have caught fish, but they don't fish avidly. I generally feel pretty good about that. The person I brought this time and I both caught fish -in numbers and size. We just happened to get on them. I think I offered the spot and he offered the experience to find the spot on it and the right presentation.

I assumed this person had the same ethical considerations that I do regarding size and number of fish caught and kept. I assumed this because he talked the talk. In the excitement of the catch a sort of gluttony showed through. Sure, I learned something about catching fish, but I'm not sure it was worth it.

Now I'm a little sick to my stomach. I'm not just sure who I put on this lake on these spots. I know this person intends to return. This is the first time I've regretted taking someone fishing for reasons other than petty stuff like talking too much or not tending their line.

I don't think I'm inclined to bring a "fisherman" fishing again. I've never hoped for someone to get skunked before.

[Barbelboy]

I'm sorry to hear that happened to you. If you take enough people fishing it eventually happens to everybody. I've had tiny lakes up north and local secret spots ruined or over run because of that (in my opinion anyway). People either frequently return or share the spot with others.

It may seem a little over cautious, but I rarely take anybody to one of my "secret" spots until I've taken them on several outings and have a good sense of how they act and what their ethical standards are. Consider it a lesson learned and don't beat yourself up over it.

[genegodawa]

Don't despair!

Here's a suggestion which won't stop that person from coming back later, but for the day at least you will have a fishing buddy---before you take anyone, be sure to obtain agreement from them to abide by your decisions about C&R and get their buy-in on maintaining that approach for the future at that lake with or without you being with them on those future fishing days.

[paceman]

It is always fun to take folks fishing, especially if the fish are cooperative, however that does come with a risk. I too have been burned by sharing information but what can you do. All the lakes I fish are public and I'm sure my secret spots are someone else's secret spots. I am now pretty careful with whom I share stuff with or with whom I take to my spots.... Pretty funny but I now have my 5 year old trained so when others ask him where we catch lots of fish he simply says lake "wishyouknew".

[mrklean]

dont let it get to you, when i go fishing with people i always suggest C&R unless they are looking to take a few home for the pan, but if i see them trying to keep something a little on a small side i will give them [PoorWordUsage] about it your keepin that little thing and what not, if their a good enough friend i dont think it will bother them and they will probably toss it back waiting for something a little bigger.

[hoppe56307]

Pretty funny but I now have my 5 year old trained so when others ask him where we catch lots of fish he simply says lake "wishyouknew".

priceless

[sdpikehntr]

Tough deal... I Have had some common issues as well, I have made it a practice to make it clear to my hunting/fishing buddies that this is one of my favorite spots and if they want to hunt or fish it they need to let me know. NOW You and I have little or no control over this on public land or water, but it lets my friends and buddies know that I am a little protective over this and I would hope that they respect my favorite spots.

This has worked very well, and I have several well trusted hunting and fishing buddies that I have no issues showing them some "hot spots" and in return they trust me with their "Honey Holes", and we have a general set of ethics we share.

[ozzie]

that is the thing that needs to be expressed or looked after when you are bringing someone to a honey hole that they are aware of what your intentions are and what you expect from them in return.....if after mentioning this you still feel that the person may corrupt your spot then you take them to a different area and search or to a different lake all together and just tell them that they must not be biting here today let's do a little searching. I always like to do my searching with my friends cause then I get 2 lures in the water to check instead of me just using 1 bait and 1 method at a time........

[silverbulletguy]

When I was younger my dad had me "trained" to tell others at the bait shop or even at the landing that we caught lots of fish all the time and when people asked where I said "in the lip". Funny thing is I don't remember anyone asking my dad the truth after they got that response from me.

[Fly2day]

dont let it get to you, when i go fishing with people i always suggest C&R unless they are looking to take a few home for the pan, but if i see them trying to keep something a little on a small side i will give them [PoorWordUsage] about it your keepin that little thing and what not, if their a good enough friend i dont think it will bother them and they will probably toss it back waiting for something a little bigger.

I tend to do the opposite, keep the smaller ones and let the bigguns go...

[herefish101]

It's my opinion that there is no such thing as a "secret spot" everyone thinks they have this big secret spot, but i'm betting nobody has a cloaking device on your boat, so any one can just see you on your spot fishing and when you leave, they just head over and give it a shot. I'v done it plenty of times, your sittin on your spot and see someone else fishin in a spot you've never tried so you check it out on the map, and maybe it looks promising, so you give it a shot, maybe it pans out maybe not, but you just gave up your secret spot without even knowing it, so to turn a buddy onto your spot is no big deal, when your giving it away every time you fish. everyone has eyes. who are you kidding.

[bikeoutback]

when your giving it away every time you fish. everyone has eyes. who are you kidding.

Ha ha I think I just figured out why I'm a crappy fisherman in the summer, I'm not looking around to scout out everyone else.

[herefish101]

ha I think I just figured out why I'm a crappy fisherman in the summer, I'm not looking around to scout out everyone else.

[paceman]

Fishing others spots is just the way it is on the big lakes. This past friday we were on Leech. We found a little spot that was way off by ourselves and we were cathing fish. It was pretty amazing how fast the boats started piling in on us. At one point I counted 44 boats trying to work our little spot. Quite a few of the boats raced up and then drove around the whole group watching for fish to be caught. Some would stay and fish, some would race off to the next pod of boats. Not the place to be if you want a relaxing quiet day on the water.